U.S. patent application number 10/520329 was filed with the patent office on 2006-06-15 for vehicle seat reclining device.
Invention is credited to Masaharu Machii, Katsuhiko Shinozaki, Takuro Yamada.
Application Number | 20060125302 10/520329 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 30117393 |
Filed Date | 2006-06-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060125302 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Shinozaki; Katsuhiko ; et
al. |
June 15, 2006 |
Vehicle seat reclining device
Abstract
A recliner device includes a locking pin (4), an operating knob
(70) having a boss portion (70a) and a substantially cylindrical
portion (70b) coaxial with the boss portion (70a), the
substantially cylindrical portion (70b) surrounding the locking pin
(4), a first bracket having notches (1a-1c), the locking pin (4)
penetrating the first bracket so as to be axially movable and being
releasably engaged with any one of the notches (1a-1c), a receiving
base (9, 90) mounted on a second bracket (2) so as to be opposed to
the substantially cylindrical portion (70b), and cam surfaces (10,
20) formed on an edge of the substantially cylindrical portion
(70b) and an edge of the receiving base (9, 90) which are opposed
to each other, each of the cam surfaces (10, 20) having a height
enough to allow the locking pin to be axially movable, and the
locking pin (4) being adapted to be disengaged from the one of the
notches (1a-1c) by rotating the operating knob (70).
Inventors: |
Shinozaki; Katsuhiko;
(Tochigi, JP) ; Yamada; Takuro; (Tochigi, JP)
; Machii; Masaharu; (Tochigi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DANN, DORFMAN, HERRELL & SKILLMAN
1601 MARKET STREET
SUITE 2400
PHILADELPHIA
PA
19103-2307
US
|
Family ID: |
30117393 |
Appl. No.: |
10/520329 |
Filed: |
July 7, 2003 |
PCT Filed: |
July 7, 2003 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP03/08614 |
371 Date: |
August 31, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/363 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60N 2/2218 20130101;
B60N 2/2236 20130101; B60N 2/2213 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/363 |
International
Class: |
B60N 2/02 20060101
B60N002/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 5, 2002 |
JP |
2002-197294 |
Jun 4, 2003 |
JP |
2003-158913 |
Claims
1. A recliner device for a vehicle seat, said vehicle seat
comprising a seat back and a seat cushion; said recliner device
comprising: a first bracket provided at a side of said seat back
and extending downwardly from the side of said seat back; said
first bracket having a lower end portion; a second bracket provided
at a side of said seat cushion and extending rearwardly from said
side of said seat cushion; said second bracket having a rear end
portion; said first bracket being pivotally connected at said lower
end portion thereof to said rear end portion of said second bracket
by means of a supporting pin with said lower end portion thereof
being overlapped on said rear end portion of said second bracket,
whereby said seat back is pivotable around said supporting pin in
such a manner that an attitude of said seat back is changed to a
vertically standing posture, a forwardly inclined posture or a
rearwardly inclined posture relative to said seat cushion; said
lower end portion of said first bracket having spaced apart notches
formed at a circumferential edge thereof so as to be coaxial with
said supporting pin; a locking pin having an inner end portion and
an outer end portion; said locking pin penetrating said rear end
portion of said second bracket so as to be axially movable and
protruding toward said circumferential edge of said lower end
portion of said first bracket; a spring mounted around said locking
pin for urging said locking pin toward said circumferential edge of
said lower end portion of said first bracket and causing said inner
end portion of said locking pin to be engaged with any one of said
notches, to thereby allow said seat back to be maintained in said
vertically standing posture, said forwardly inclined posture or
said rearwardly inclined posture; a receiving base mounted on an
outer surface of said rear end portion of said second bracket and
coaxially surrounding said operating pin; an operating means
mounted to said outer end portion of said locking pin so as to be
opposed to said receiving base; and cooperating cam surface means
on said operating means and said receiving base, wherein when said
operating means is rotated relative to said receiving base, said
locking pin is axially moved away from said circumferential edge of
said lower end portion of said first bracket and then disengaged
from said one of said notches with which said inner end portion of
said locking pin has been engaged until now, whereby said seat back
is allowed to be pivoted around said supporting pin.
2. A recliner device according to claim 1, wherein said operating
means comprises an operating knob having a substantially
cylindrical section, said receiving base is formed into a
substantially ring-shape, and said cooperating cam surface means
comprises a first cam surface formed on a circumferential edge of
said substantially cylindrical section which is opposed to a
circumferential edge of said substantially ring-shaped receiving
base, and a second cam surface formed on said circumferential edge
of said substantially ring-shaped receiving base, each of said
first and second cam surfaces comprising two spaced apart crest
portions and two spaced apart valley portions which are adapted to
be releasably engaged with each other, each of said crest portions
having a height enough to allow said locking pin to be axially
moved so as to be disengaged from said one of said notches of said
first bracket.
3. A vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein said operating
means comprises an operating knob having a substantially
cylindrical section, said receiving base is formed into a
substantially ring-shape, and said cooperating cam surface means
comprises a first cam surface formed on a circumferential edge of
said substantially cylindrical section which is opposed to a
circumferential edge of said substantially ring-shaped receiving
base, and a second cam surface formed on said circumferential edge
of said substantially ring-shaped receiving base, said first and
second cam surfaces having the same shape, said first cam surface
comprising first and second crest portions spaced apart at
intervals of about 180 degrees around said circumferential edge of
said substantially cylindrical section, and first and second spaced
apart valley portions each being disposed between said first and
second crest portions and continuously connected to said first and
second crest portions, said second cam surface comprising third and
fourth crest portions spaced apart at intervals of about 180
degrees around said circumferential edge of said substantially
ring-shaped receiving base, and third and fourth spaced apart
valley portions each being disposed between said third and fourth
crest portions and continuously connected to said third and fourth
crest portions, said first and second crest portions and said third
and fourth crest portions being adapted to be releasably engaged
with said third and fourth valley portions and said first and
second valley portions, respectively, and each of said crest
portions having a height enough to allow said locking pin to be
axially moved so as to be disengaged from said one of said notches
of said first bracket.
4. A recliner device according to claim 2, wherein said first and
second crest portions are spaced apart at intervals of about 180
degrees around said circumferential edge of said substantially
cylindrical section, each of said first and second spaced apart
valley portions being disposed between said first and second crest
portions and continuously connected to said first and second crest
portions, and said third and fourth crest portions are spaced apart
at intervals of about 180 degrees around said circumferential edge
of said substantially ring-shaped receiving base, said each of said
third and fourth spaced apart valley portions being disposed
between said third and fourth crest portions and continuously
connected to said third and fourth crest portions.
5. A recliner device according to claim 1, wherein said operating
means comprises an operating knob having a substantially
cylindrical section, said receiving base is formed into a
substantially ring-shape, and said cooperating cam surface means
comprises a first cam surface formed on a circumferential edge of
said substantially cylindrical section which is opposed to a
circumferential edge of said substantially ring-shaped receiving
base, and a second cam surface formed on said circumferential edge
of said substantially ring-shaped receiving base, said first cam
surface comprising first and second axially extending surfaces
spaced at intervals of about 180 degrees around said
circumferential edge portion of said substantially cylindrical
section, a first circumferentially sloping surface descending from
a tip edge of said first axially extending surface to a root point
of said second axially extending surface, and a second
circumferentially sloping surface descending from a tip edge of
said second axially extending surface to a root point of said first
axially extending surface, said second cam surface comprising third
and fourth axially extending surfaces spaced at intervals of about
180 degrees around said circumferential edge portion of said
ring-shaped receiving base, a third circumferentially sloping
surface descending from a tip edge of said third axially extending
surface to a root point of said fourth axially extending surface,
and a fourth circumferentially sloping surface descending from a
tip edge of said fourth axially extending surface to a root point
of said third axially extending surface.
6. A recliner device according to claim 1, wherein said operating
means comprises an operating knob having a substantially
cylindrical section, said receiving base is formed into a
substantially ring-shape, and said cooperating cam surface means
comprises a first cam surface formed on a circumferential edge of
said substantially cylindrical section which is opposed to a
circumferential edge of said substantially ring-shaped receiving
base, and a second cam surface formed on said circumferential edge
of said substantially ring-shaped receiving base, said first cam
surface comprising first and second axially extending surfaces
spaced at intervals of about 180 degrees around said
circumferential edge portion of said substantially cylindrical
section, a first circumferentially sloping surface descending from
a tip edge of said first axially extending surface to a root point
of said second axially extending surface, and a second
circumferentially sloping surface descending from a tip edge of
said second axially extending surface to a root point of said first
axially extending surface, said second cam surface comprising third
and fourth axially extending surfaces spaced at intervals of about
180 degrees around said circumferential edge portion of said
ring-shaped receiving base, a third circumferentially sloping
surface descending from a tip edge of said third axially extending
surface to a root point of said fourth axially extending surface,
and a fourth circumferentially sloping surface descending from a
tip edge of said fourth axially extending surface to a root point
of said third axially extending surface, said circumferentially
sloping surfaces formed on one of said operating knob and said
receiving base having lengths shorter than lengths of said
circumferentially sloping surfaces formed on the other of said
operating knob and said receiving base, and said axially extending
surfaces formed on said one of said operating knob and said
receiving base being provided at their tip edges with stopper
projections.
7. A recliner device according to claim 1, wherein said operating
means comprises an operating knob having a substantially
cylindrical section, said receiving base comprises a substantially
plate-like body having a ring-like receiving portion, said
substantially plate-like body being fixed on said outer surface of
said rear end portion of said second bracket with said ring-like
receiving portion surrounding said locking pin, and said
cooperating cam surface means comprises a first cam surface formed
on a circumferential edge of said substantially cylindrical section
which is opposed to a circumferential edge of said ring-like
receiving portion, and a second cam surface formed on said
circumferential edge of said ring-like receiving portion, each of
said first and second cam surfaces comprising two spaced apart
crest portions and two spaced apart valley portions which are
adapted to be releasably engaged with each other, each of said
crest portions having a height enough to allow said locking pin to
be axially moved so as to be disengaged from said one of said
notches of said first bracket.
8. A recliner device according to claim 7, wherein said first and
second crest portions are spaced apart at intervals of about 180
degrees around said circumferential edge of said substantially
cylindrical section, each of said first and second spaced apart
valley portions being disposed between said first and second crest
portions and continuously connected to said first and second crest
portions, and said third and fourth crest portions are spaced apart
at intervals of about 180 degrees around said circumferential edge
of said ring-like receiving portion, said each of said third and
fourth spaced apart valley portions being disposed between said
third and fourth crest portions and continuously connected to said
third and fourth crest portions.
9. A recliner device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein said
operating knob has a boss portion coaxial with said substantially
cylindrical portion, said boss portion being provided with an
axially protruding piece, one of an inner surface of said axially
protruding piece and an outer surface of said ring-like receiving
portion being formed with at least one linear groove, the other of
said inner surface of said axially protruding piece and said outer
surface of said ring-like receiving portion being provided with a
least one projection, said at least one groove and said at least
one projection being adapted to be releasably engaged with each
other.
10. A recliner device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein said
plate-like body of said receiving base has a dowel provided on a
back side thereof and projecting from said back side, and said
second bracket has a dowel hole formed in said rear end portion
thereof, said dowel of said receiving base being fitted in said
dowel hole of said second bracket.
10. A recliner device according to claim 9, wherein said plate-like
body of said receiving base has a dowel provided on a back side
thereof and projecting from said back side, and said second bracket
has a dowel hole formed in said rear end portion thereof, said
dowel of said receiving base being fitted in said dowel hole of
said second bracket.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to a recliner device for a vehicle
seat, which allows a seat back of the vehicle seat to be pivoted
relative to a seat cushion of the vehicle seat and, more
particularly, to an improvement of a recliner device for allowing
an attitude of the seat back to be selectively changed to a
vertically standing posture, a forwardly inclined posture or a
rearwardly inclined posture relative to the seat cushion.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Referring now to FIGS. 1 to 5, a conventional recliner
device for a vehicle seat will be discussed hereinafter in order to
facilitate understanding of the present invention. As shown in FIG.
1, the conventional recliner device generally includes first
brackets 1 provided at both sides of a seat back B of the vehicle
seat and extending downwardly from the both sides of the seat back
B, and second brackets 2 provided at both sides of a seat cushion C
of the vehicle seat and extending rearwardly from the both sides of
the seat cushion C. As shown in FIG. 2, the first brackets 1 (only
one first bracket 1 is shown in FIG. 2) pivotally connected to the
second brackets 2 (only one second bracket 2 is shown in FIG. 2) by
causing lower end portions of the first brackets 1 to be disposed
on inner surfaces of rear end portions of the second brackets 2 and
causing the lower end portions of the first bracket 1 to be coupled
to the rear end portions of the second brackets 2 by means of
supporting pins 3 (only one supporting pin 3 is shown in FIG. 2),
so that the seat back B can be pivoted around the supporting pins 3
relative to the seat cushion C, that is, an attitude of the seat
back B can be selectively changed to a vertically standing posture,
a forwardly inclined posture or a rearwardly inclined posture.
[0003] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the conventional recliner device
further includes a locking pin 4 which penetrates one of the second
brackets 2 so as to be axially movable, and extends towards a lower
end edge of corresponding one of the first brackets 1. The lower
end edge of the first bracket 1 is formed in a substantially
semicircular shape and has three engaging notches 1a, 1b, 1c
disposed at predetermined circumferential intervals around the
supporting pin 3. An inner end portion 4a of the locking pin 4 is
releasably engaged with any one of the engaging notches 1a-1c of
the first bracket 1 by an action of a coil spring discussed
hereinafter, whereby the seat back B can be selectively locked in
the vertically standing posture, the forwardly inclined posture or
the rearwardly inclined posture with respect to the seat cushion C.
The conventional recliner device is disclosed in Japanese Patent
Application Laid-Open No. Hei. 9-117339.
[0004] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the locking pin 4 is provided
with a circumferential flange 4b. A substantially cylindrical
pin-holder 5 is fixed on an outer surface of the second bracket 2
and surrounds the locking pin 4. An outer end portion 4c of the
locking pin 4 projects outwardly from the pin-holder 5. The
pin-holder 5 has an inwardly facing circumferential flange portion
5a. The coil spring 6 briefly discussed above is mounted around the
locking pin 4 and disposed between the circumferential flange 4b of
the locking pin 4 and the inwardly facing circumferential flange
portion 5a of the pin-holder 5. Due to an action of the coil spring
6, the locking pin 4 is always urged toward the first bracket 1 and
the inner end portion 4a of the locking pin 4 is releasably engaged
with any one of the notches 1a-1c of the first bracket 1. An
operating knob 7 is movably mounted on the pin holder 5 and
fastened to the outer end portion 4c of the locking pin 4 by a
screw 8.
[0005] In the conventional recliner device, when the operating knob
7 is drawn against the action of the coil spring 6 by a person in
such an axial direction as to be away from the first bracket 1 as
indicated by an arrow in FIG. 5, the locking pin 4 is drawn in the
same direction, whereby the locking pin 4 is disengaged from the
one of the engaging notches 1a-1c with which the locking pin 4 has
been engaged until now. Thus, the seat back is brought into a
condition where the seat back is allowed to be pivoted relative to
the seat cushion. However, in order that the locking pin 4 can be
positively disengaged from the engaging notch against the action of
the coil spring 6, the person must draw the operating knob 7 with a
considerable pulling-force. Therefore, it is hard for physically
weak persons such as aged persons and children to operate the
operating knob.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention has been made with a view to
overcoming the foregoing problem of the prior art recliner
device.
[0007] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a recliner device which everybody in a broad age-group
including physically weak persons such as aged persons and children
can easily handle.
[0008] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided
a recliner device for a vehicle seat. The vehicle seat comprises a
seat back and a seat cushion. The recliner device comprises a first
bracket provided at a side of the seat back and extending
downwardly from the side of the seat back, the first bracket having
a lower end portion, a second bracket provided at a side of the
seat cushion and extending rearwardly from the side of the seat
cushion, the second bracket having a rear end portion, the first
bracket being pivotally connected at the lower end portion thereof
to the rear end portion of the second bracket by means of a
supporting pin with the lower end portion thereof being overlapped
on the rear end portion of the second bracket, whereby the seat
back is pivotable around the supporting pin in such a manner that
an attitude of the seat back is changed to a vertically standing
posture, a forwardly inclined posture or a rearwardly inclined
posture relative to the seat cushion, the lower end portion of the
first bracket having spaced apart notches formed at a
circumferential edge thereof so as to be coaxial with the
supporting pin, a locking pin having an inner end portion and an
outer end portion, the locking pin penetrating the rear end portion
of the second bracket so as to be axially movable and protruding
toward the circumferential edge of the lower end portion of the
first bracket, a spring mounted around the locking pin for urging
the locking pin toward the circumferential edge of the lower end
portion of the first and causing the inner end portion of the
locking pin to be engaged with any one of the notches, to thereby
allow the seat back to be maintained in the vertically standing
posture, the forwardly inclined posture or the rearwardly inclined
posture, a receiving base mounted on an outer surface of the rear
end portion of the second bracket and coaxially surrounding the
operating pin, an operating means mounted to the outer end portion
of the locking pin so as to be opposed to the receiving base, and
cooperating cam surface means on the operating means and the
receiving base. When the operating means is rotated relative the
receiving base, the locking pin is axially moved away from the
circumferential edge of the lower end portion of the first bracket
and then disengaged from the one of the notches with which the
inner end portion of the locking pin has been engaged until now,
whereby the seat back is allowed to be pivoted around the
supporting pin.
[0009] In a preferred embodiment according to the present
invention, the operating means may comprise an operating knob
having a substantially cylindrical section, the receiving base may
be formed into a substantially ring-shape, and the cooperating cam
surface means may comprise a first cam surface formed on a
circumferential edge of the substantially cylindrical section which
is opposed to a circumferential edge of the substantially
ring-shaped receiving base, and a second cam surface formed on the
circumferential edge of the substantially ring-shaped receiving
base. Each of the first and second cam surfaces may comprise two
spaced apart crest portions and two spaced apart valley portions
which are adapted to be releasably engaged with each other. Each of
the crest portions has a height enough to allow the locking pin to
be axially moved so as to be disengaged from the one of the notches
of the first bracket.
[0010] The first and second cam surfaces have the same shape. The
first cam surface may comprise first and second crest portions
spaced apart at intervals of about 180 degrees around the
circumferential edge of the substantially cylindrical section, and
first and second spaced apart valley portions each being disposed
between the first and second crest portions and continuously
connected to the first and second crest portions. The second cam
surface may comprise third and fourth crest portions spaced apart
at intervals of about 180 degrees around the circumferential edge
of the substantially ring-shaped receiving base, and third and
fourth spaced apart valley portions each being disposed between the
third and fourth crest portions and continuously connected to the
third and fourth crest portions. The first and second crest
portions and the third and fourth crest portions are adapted to be
releasably engaged with the third and fourth valley portions and
the first and second valley portions, respectively.
[0011] The first cam surface may comprise first and second axially
extending surfaces spaced at intervals of about 180 degrees around
the circumferential edge portion of the substantially cylindrical
section, a first circumferentially sloping surface descending from
a tip edge of the first axially extending surface to a root point
of the second axially extending surface, and a second
circumferentially sloping surface descending from a tip edge of the
second axially extending surface to a root point of the first
axially extending surface. The second surface may comprise third
and fourth axially extending surface spaced at intervals of about
180 degrees around the circumferential edge portion of the
ring-like receiving base, a third circumferentially sloping surface
descending from a tip edge of the third axially extending surface
to a root point of the fourth axially extending surface, and a
fourth circumferentially sloping surface descending from a tip edge
of the fourth axially extending surface to a root point of the
third axially extending surface.
[0012] The circumferentially sloping surfaces formed on one of the
operating knob and the receiving base may have lengths shorter than
lengths of the circumferentially sloping surfaces formed on the
other of the operating knob and the receiving base. The axially
extending surfaces formed on the one of the operating knob and the
receiving base may be provided at their tip edges with stopper
projections.
[0013] The receiving base may comprise a substantially plate-like
body having a ring-like receiving portion. The substantially
plate-like body is fixed on the outer surface of the rear end
portion of the second bracket with the ring-like receiving portion
surrounding the locking pin. The cooperating cam surface means may
comprise a first cam surface formed on a circumferential edge of
the substantially cylindrical section which is opposed to a
circumferential edge of the ring-like receiving portion, and a
second cam surface formed on the circumferential edge of the
ring-like receiving section. Each of the first and second cam
surfaces may comprise two spaced apart crest portions and two
spaced apart valley portions which are adapted to be releasably
engaged with each other. Each of the crest portions has a height
enough to allow the locking pin to be axially moved so as to be
disengaged from the one of the notches of the first bracket. The
first and second crest portions are spaced apart at intervals of
about 180 degrees around the circumferential edge of the
substantially cylindrical section. Each of the first and second
spaced apart valley portions is disposed between the first and
second crest portions and continuously connected to the first and
second crest portions. The third and fourth crest portions are
spaced apart at intervals of about 180 degrees around the
circumferential edge of the ring-like receiving portion. Each of
the third and fourth spaced apart valley portions is disposed
between the third and fourth crest portions and continuously
connected to the third and fourth crest portions.
[0014] The operating knob may have a boss portion coaxial with the
substantially cylindrical portion. The boss portion may be provided
with an axially protruding piece. One of an inner surface of the
axially protruding piece and an outer surface of the ring-like
receiving portion may be formed with at least linear groove. The
other of the inner surface of the axially protruding piece and the
outer surface of the ring-like receiving portion may be provided
with at least one projection. The at least one groove and the at
least one projection is adapted to be releasably engaged with each
other.
[0015] The plate-like body of the receiving base may have a dowel
provided on a back side thereof and projecting from the bottom
surface. The second bracket may have a dowel hole formed in the
rear end portion thereof. The dowel of the receiving base is fitted
in the dowel hole of the second bracket.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a vehicle seat
provided with a conventional recliner device;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the conventional recliner
device;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the
recliner device shown in FIG. 2;
[0019] FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view of the recliner device
of FIG. 2 in a usual condition;
[0020] FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view of the recliner device
of FIG. 2 in an operated state;
[0021] FIG. 6 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a
recliner device according to a first embodiment of the present
invention;
[0022] FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional view of the recliner device
of FIG. 6 in an assembled condition;
[0023] FIG. 8 is a schematic exploded perspective view of an
operating knob and a receiving base;
[0024] FIG. 9 is a schematic side view of the recliner device of
FIG. 6 in a usual condition;
[0025] FIG. 10 is a schematic side view of the recliner device of
FIG. 6 in an operated state;
[0026] FIG. 11 is a schematic exploded perspective view
illustrating a modification of the recliner device of FIG. 6;
[0027] FIG. 12 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing
another modification of the recliner device of FIG. 6;
[0028] FIG. 13 is a schematic exploded perspective view
illustrating a recliner device in which a dial-type operating knob
is employed in lieu of the operating knob shown in FIG. 6;
[0029] FIG. 14 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a
recliner device according to a second embodiment of the present
invention;
[0030] FIG. 15 is a schematic sectional view of the recliner device
of FIG. 14 in an assembled condition;
[0031] FIG. 16 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a
receiving base of the recliner device shown in FIG. 14;
[0032] FIG. 17 is a schematic perspective view illustrating an
operating knob of the recliner device shown in FIG. 14;
[0033] FIG. 18 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing the
receiving base of FIG. 16 and the operating knob of FIG. 17 which
are opposed to each other;
[0034] FIG. 19 is a schematic side view illustrating the recliner
device of FIG. 14 in a usual state;
[0035] FIG. 20 is a schematic side view illustrating the recliner
device of FIG. 19 in an operated condition; and
[0036] FIG. 21 is a schematic exploded perspective view
illustrating a recliner device in which a dial-type operating knob
is employed in lieu of an operating knob of the recliner device
shown in FIG. 14.
MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0037] A description will be given of embodiments with reference to
FIGS. 6 to 21. In Figures, the same components of the illustrated
embodiments are denoted by like reference numerals. Each of the
embodiments according to the present invention is to be applied to
a left side of such a vehicle seat as shown in FIG. 1, e.g., a rear
seat for a wagon car.
[0038] Referring now to FIGS. 6 to 10, a recliner device for a
vehicle seat according to a first embodiment of the present
invention will be discussed hereinafter.
[0039] As shown in FIG. 6, the recliner device according to the
first embodiment of the present invention includes a first bracket
1 provided at a left side of a seat back of the vehicle seat and
extending downwardly from the left side of the seat back, and a
second bracket 2 provided at a left side of a seat cushion of the
vehicle seat and extending rearwardly from the left side of the
seat cushion. In the illustrated example, the first bracket 1 is
employed as an inner bracket and the second bracket 2 is employed
as an outer bracket. More particularly, a lower end portion of the
first bracket 1 is disposed or overlapped on an inner surface of a
rear end portion of the second bracket 2 and pivotally connected to
the rear end portion of the second bracket 2 by means of a
supporting pin 3. Similarly, a third bracket and a fourth bracket
(not shown) are provided at a right side of the seat back and a
right side of the seat cushion, respectively. The third bracket is
pivotally connected to the fourth bracket by a supporting pin (not
shown) in the same manner as the first bracket 1 is pivotally
connected to the second bracket 2 by the supporting pin 3.
[0040] The seat back is pivoted around the supporting pins relative
to the seat cushion in the same manner as the seat back shown in
FIG. 1 is done. That is, an attitude of the seat back can be
selectively changed to a vertically standing posture, a forwardly
inclined posture or a rearwardly inclined posture relative to the
seat cushion. A locking pin 4 penetrates the second bracket 2 so as
to be axially movable, and extends towards a lower end edge of the
first bracket 1. A lower end portion of the first bracket 1 is
formed into a substantially semicircular shape and has three
engaging notches 1a, 1b, 1c of substantially semicircular-shapes
disposed at predetermined circumferential intervals of the lower
end edge of the first bracket 1 around the supporting pin 3. An
inner end portion 4a of the locking pin 4 is releasably engaged
with any one of the engaging notches 1a-1c of the first bracket 1
by an action of a coil spring discussed in greater detail
hereinafter, whereby the seat back can be selectively locked in the
vertically standing posture, the forwardly inclined posture or the
rearwardly inclined posture relative to the seat cushion.
[0041] Referring to FIG. 7, a receiving base 9 of a substantially
ring-shape is fixed on an outer surface of the rear end portion of
the second bracket 2 and coaxially surrounds the locking pin 4. The
locking pin 4 is provided with a circumferential flange 4b. A
substantially cylindrical pin-holder 5 is mounted in the receiving
base 9 so as to coaxially surround the locking pin 4, and fixed on
the outer surface of the second bracket 2. An outer end portion 4c
of the locking pin 4 projects outwardly from the pin-holder 5. The
pin-holder 5 has an inwardly facing circumferential flange portion
5a. The coil spring 6 briefly discussed above is mounted around the
locking pin 4 and disposed between the circumferential flange 4b of
the locking pin 4 and the inwardly facing circumferential flange
portion 5a of the pin-holder 5, whereby the locking pin 4 is always
urged in such an axial direction as to be operatively engaged with
any one of the engaging notches 1a-1c of the first bracket 1. An
operating knob 70 is rotatably mounted on the pin-holder 5 in a
face-to-face relationship with the receiving base 9 as will be
discussed in greater detail hereinafter.
[0042] Referring to FIG. 8, the operating knob 70 is in the form of
a handle lever and comprises a cap-like boss section 70a, a
substantially cylindrical section 70b coaxial with the boss section
70a and extending axially from the boss section 70a, and a lever
section extending radially from the boss section 70a. As shown in
FIG. 7, the operating knob 70 is rotatably mounted on the pin
holder 5 with the substantially cylindrical section 70b facing the
receiving base 9 and with a top portion of the boss section 70a
being attached to the outer end portion 4c of the locking pin 4 by
means of a screw 8.
[0043] The recliner device further includes cooperating cam surface
means on the operating knob 70 and the receiving base 9. As shown
in FIG. 8, the cooperating cam surface means comprises a first cam
surface 10 on a circumferential edge portion of the substantially
cylindrical section 70b of the operating knob 70 which is opposed
to or faces a circumferential edge portion of the ring-like
receiving base 9, and a second cam surface 20 on the
circumferential edge portion of the ring-like receiving base 9. The
first and second cam surfaces have the substantially same shape.
More particularly, the first cam surface 10 of the substantially
cylindrical section 70b of the operating knob 70 comprises first
two opposite crest portions 10a spaced apart from each other at
intervals of about 180 degrees around the circumferential edge
portion of the substantially cylindrical section 70b, and first two
opposite valley portions 10b each disposed between the first crest
portions 10a and continuously connected to the first crest portions
10a. Similarly, the second cam surface 20 of the ring-like
receiving base 9 comprises second two opposite crest portions 20a
spaced apart from each other at intervals of about 180 degrees
around the circumferential edge portion of the ring-like receiving
base 9, and second opposite valley portions 20b each disposed
between the second crest portions 20a and continuously connected to
the second crest portions 20a.
[0044] Referring to FIG. 9, the first crest portions 10a of the
first cam surface 10 and the second crest portions 20a of the
second cam surface 20 are always engaged with the second valley
portions 20b and the first valley portions 10a, respectively and
the locking pin 4 is always engaged with any one of the notches
1a-1c, due to the action of the coil spring 6. Thus, the seat back
is selectively kept in the vertically standing posture, the
forwardly inclined posture or the rearwardly inclined posture
relative to the seat cushion. Incidentally, the attitude of the
seat back is determined by a notch of the first bracket with which
the locking pin is engaged. The operating knob 70 is adapted to be
rotatable in both a clockwise direction and a counterclockwise
direction.
[0045] When the person causes the operating knob 70 to be rotated
around the pin-holder 5 in the clockwise direction or the
counterclockwise direction while gripping the lever section of the
operating knob 70, the first crest portions 10a of the operating
knob 70 and the second crest portions 20a of the ring-like
receiving base 9 are shifted from the second valley portions 20b
and the first valley portions 10b as shown in FIG. 10,
respectively, whereby the locking pin 4 is axially moved away from
the first bracket 1 against the action of the coil spring 6 and
then disengaged from the one of the notches 1a-1c of the first
bracket 1 with which the locking pin 4 has been engaged until now.
Thus, the seat back is brought into a pivotable condition relative
to the seat cushion. Incidentally, each of the first and second
crest portions 10a, 20a has a height enough to allow the locking
pin 4 to be axially moved and then disengaged from the notches
1a-1c of the first bracket 1. Therefore, both the clockwise
directional movement of the operating knob and the counterclockwise
directional movement of the operating knob can cause the locking
pin 4 to be positively disengaged from the notches 1a-1c.
[0046] As discussed above, the disengaging of the locking pin 4
from the notches 1a-1c of the first bracket 1 can be easily
performed by merely causing the operating knob 70 to be rotated
around the pin-holder 5. Therefore, even if the person who handles
the operating knob 70 is physically weak, the person can easily
operate the operating knob 70. Thus, the recliner device according
to the present invention ensures that persons in a broad age-group
including aged persons and children easily handle the operating
knob.
[0047] A stroke of the locking pin 4 causes the coil spring 6 to be
contracted and causes the locking pin 4 to be disengaged from the
one of the notches 1a-1c of the first bracket 1. As shown in FIG.
10, a height B of each of the crest portions 10a, 20a of the cam
surfaces 10, 20 may be set so as to be larger than a stroke
distance A of the locking pin 4, so that the rotational movement of
the operating knob 70 is limited. The operating knob 70 can be
rotated in both the clockwise direction and the counterclockwise
direction because of the shapes of the first and second cam
surfaces 10, 20. Therefore, the operating knob may be constructed
as a type of operating knob that is drawn up and then rotated or is
pushed down and then rotated.
[0048] When the lever section of the operating knob 70 is released
from the person's hand after changing of the attitude of the seat
back relative to the seat cushion is performed, the locking pin 4
is automatically moved toward the lower edge portion of the first
bracket 1 due to the action of the coil spring 6 while causing the
operating knob 70 to be returned to its original condition in which
the first crest portions 10a of the first cam surface 10 and the
first valley portions 10b of the first cam surface 10 are engaged
with the second valley portions 20b of the second cam surface 20
and the second crest portions 10a of the first cam surface 10,
respectively. The locking pin 4 is then operatively engaged with
one of the notches 1a-1c of the first bracket 1 which corresponds
to the changed attitude of the seat back. Thus, the seat back is
maintained in the changed attitude.
[0049] Referring to FIG. 11, there is illustrated a modification of
the cooperating cam surface means shown in FIGS. 8 to 10. In this
modification, the first cam surface 10 of the cylindrical section
70b of the operating knob 70 comprises first and second axially
extending surfaces spaced at about 180.degree. around the
circumferential edge portion of the substantially cylindrical
section 70b of the operating knob 70 which faces the
circumferential edge portion of the ring-like receiving base 9, a
first circumferentially sloping surface 100a descending from a tip
edge of the first axially extending surface to a root point of the
second axially extending surface, and a second circumferentially
sloping surface 100b descending from a tip edge of the second
axially extending surface to a root point of the first axially
extending surface. Similarly, the second cam surface 20 comprises
third and fourth axially extending surfaces spaced at about
180.degree. around the circumferential edge portion of the
ring-like receiving base 9, a third circumferentially sloping
surface 200a descending from a tip edge of the third axially
extending surface to a root point of the fourth axially extending
surface, and a fourth circumferentially sloping surface 200b
descending from a tip edge of the fourth axially extending surface
to a root point of the third axially extending surface. Due to the
action of the coil spring, the first circumferentially sloping
surface portion 100a and the second circumferentially sloping
surface portion 100b of the operating knob 70 are always engaged
with the third circumferentially sloping surface portion 200a and
the fourth circumferentially sloping surface portion 200b of the
receiving base 9, respectively, and the first axially extending
surface and the second axially extending surface are always engaged
with the fourth axially extending surface and the third axially
extending surface, respectively. Thus, in this modification, the
operating knob 70 is constructed as a unidirectional operating
knob. When the operating knob 70 is rotated in a direction
indicated in FIG. 11 by an arrow, the first sloping surface portion
100a and the second sloping surface portion 100b are shifted from
the third sloping surface portion 200a and the fourth sloping
surface portion 200b, respectively, and the first axially extending
surface and the second axially extending surface are disengaged
from the fourth axially extending surface and the third axially
extending surface, respectively, whereby the locking pin is moved
away from the first bracket against the action of the coil spring
and disengaged from the one of the notches of the first bracket
with which the locking pin has been engaged till now. A length of
each of the first, second, third and fourth axially extending
surfaces is set so as to be larger than a stroke distance of the
locking pin, so that the rotational movement of the operating knob
is limited.
[0050] Referring to FIG. 12, there is illustrated another
modification of the cooperating cam surface means. Like the
modification of FIG. 11, this modification includes the first
circumferentially sloping surface portion 100a descending from the
tip edge of the first axially extending surface to the root point
of the second axially extending surface, the second
circumferentially sloping surface 100b descending from the tip edge
of the second axially extending surface to the root point of the
first axially extending surface, the third circumferentially
sloping surface portion 200a descending from the tip edge of the
third axially extending surface to the root point of the fourth
axially extending surface, and the fourth circumferentially sloping
surface portion 200b descending from the tip edge of the fourth
axially extending surface to the root point of the third axially
extending surface. In the modification of FIG. 12, the third
axially extending surface and the fourth axially extending surface
of the receiving base 9 are provided at their tip edges with
stopper projections 200a', 200b'. A length L.sub.2 of each of the
first and second circumferentially sloping surfaces 100a, 100b of
the operating knob 70 is shorter than that L.sub.1 of each of the
third and fourth circumferentially sloping surfaces 200a, 200b of
the receiving base 9. Like the operating knob of FIG. 11, the
operating knob 70 of FIG. 12 is constructed as a unidirectional
knob.
[0051] In the modification of FIG. 12, the length L.sub.2 of each
of the first and second circumferentially sloping surfaces 100a,
100b of the operating knob 70 is shorter than that L.sub.1 of each
of the third and fourth circumferentially sloping surfaces 200a,
200b of the receiving base 9 as discussed above, each of the first,
second, third and fourth circumferentially sloping surfaces 100a,
100b, 200a, 200b has a slope enough to allow the locking pin to be
disengaged from any one of the notches of the first bracket.
Further, as discussed above, the third axially extending surface
and the fourth axially extending surface of the receiving base 9
are provided at their tip edges with the stopper projections 200a',
200b'. Therefore, when the operating knob 70 is rotated in a
direction indicated in FIG. 12 by an arrow and the first and second
circumferentially sloping surfaces 100a, 100b of the operating knob
70 are shifted from the third and fourth circumferentially sloping
surfaces 200a, 200b of the receiving base 9, the first and second
axially extending surfaces of the operating knob 70 are abutted
against the stopper projections 200a', 200b' of the receiving base
9, whereby the rotational movement of the operating knob 70 is
restricted. Incidentally, the shape of the first cam surface 10 of
the operating knob 70 and the shape of the second cam surface 20 of
the receiving base 9 may be reversed.
[0052] In the illustrated examples of FIGS. 6 to 12, the operating
knobs 70 are of types of handle levers. In lieu of the handle lever
type-knobs 70, such a dial-type operating knob 71 as shown in FIG.
13 may be employed. In this case, a side of the dial-type operating
knob 71 which is opposed to or faces the receiving base 9 is
provided with a first cam surface which is constructed in the same
manner as the first cam surfaces 10 of FIGS. 8 to 10, FIG. 11 or
FIG. 12 is done, and is engaged with the second cam surface of the
receiving base 9.
[0053] In the above-discussed examples, the first bracket 1 is
arranged on the inside of the second bracket 2. Alternatively, the
first bracket 1 may be arranged on the outside of the second
bracket 2. In this case, the locking pin is penetrated through the
first bracket 1 and projected toward the second bracket 2, and the
engaging notches with which the locking pin is to be engaged are
provided around the rear end portion of the second bracket 2.
[0054] Furthermore, bearing pieces (not shown) for bearing the
inner end portion of the locking pin may be provided at edge areas
of the end portion of the inner bracket which are adjacent the
notches that are formed in the inner bracket. More particularly,
the bearing pieces have shallow V-shaped notches and are arranged
at the circumferential edge areas of the end portion of the inner
bracket 1 with the shallow V-shaped notches facing the notches of
the inner bracket. In this case, the inner end portion of the
locking pin can be stably born between the notches of the bearing
pieces and the notches of the inner bracket.
[0055] As discussed above, in the recliner device according to the
first embodiment of the present invention, the substantially
ring-like receiving base is fixed on the outer bracket, the pin
holder is mounted in the substantially ring-like receiving base and
fixed on the outer bracket, the locking pin is penetrated through
the pin holder and the outer bracket, and always projected toward
the inner bracket due to the action of the coil spring, and the
operating knob is mounted to the outer end portion of the locking
pin with the substantially cylindrical section thereof being
rotatably mounted on the pin holder and with the end portion of the
substantially cylindrical section thereof facing the receiving
base. Due to the action of the coil spring, the locking pin is
releasably engaged with any one of the notches formed in the inner
bracket. The mating cam surfaces are formed on the side of the
cylindrical section of the operating knob and the side of the
receiving base which are opposed to each other. The mating cam
surfaces include the crest portions having heights enough to allow
the axial movement of the locking pin. When the person causes the
operating knob to be rotated around the pin holder while gripping
the lever section of the operating knob, the crest portions of the
cam surface of the operating knob are shifted from the valley
portions of the cam surface of the receiving base, whereby the
locking pin is axially moved and then positively disengaged from
the one of the notches of the inner bracket with which the locking
pin has been engaged until now. Therefore, persons in a broad
age-group including physically weak persons such as aged persons
and children can easily handle the operating knob and easily cause
the locking pin to be disengaged from the one of the notches of the
inner bracket.
[0056] Further, in the recliner device of FIGS. 6 to 10, the first
cam surface of the operating knob comprises the first and second
crest portions spaced apart from each other around the
circumferential edge portion of the substantially cylindrical
section which is opposed to or face the circumferential edge
portion of the substantially ring-like receiving base, and the
first and second valley portions each disposed between the first
and second crest portions and continuously connected to the first
and second crest portions. Similarly, the second cam surface of the
substantially ring-like receiving base comprises the third and
fourth crest portions spaced apart from each other around the
circumferential edge portion of the substantially ring-like
receiving base, and the third and fourth valley portions each
disposed between the third and fourth crest portions and
continuously connected to the third and fourth crest portions.
Because of the shapes of the first and second cam surfaces, the
operating knob can be rotated in both the clockwise direction and
the counterclockwise direction. Therefore, the operating knob may
be constructed as a type of operating knob that is drawn up and
then rotated or is pushed down and then rotated.
[0057] Furthermore, in the recliner device of FIG. 11, the first
cam surface of the operating knob comprises the first and second
axially extending surfaces spaced at about 180.degree. around the
circumferential edge portion of the substantially cylindrical
section which faces the circumferential edge portion of the
ring-like receiving base, the first circumferentially sloping
surface descending from the tip edge of the first axially extending
surface to the root point of the second axially extending surface,
and the second circumferentially sloping surface descending from
the tip edge of the second axially extending surface to the root
point of the first axially extending surface. Similarly, the second
cam surface of the ring-like receiving base comprises the third and
fourth axially extending surfaces spaced at 180.degree. around the
circumferential edge portion of the ring-like receiving base, the
third circumferentially sloping surface descending from the tip
edge of the third axially extending surface to the root point of
the fourth axially extending surface, and the fourth
circumferentially sloping surface descending from the tip edge of
the fourth axially extending surface to the root point of the third
axially extending surface. Because of the shapes of the first and
second cam surfaces of the recliner device of FIG. 11, the
operating knob of FIG. 11 can be constructed as a unidirectional
knob.
[0058] Furthermore, in the recliner device of FIG. 12, the third
axially extending surface and the fourth axially extending surface
of the receiving base are provided at their tip edges with the
stopper projections, and the length of each of the first and second
circumferentially sloping surfaces of the operating knob is shorter
than that of each of the third and fourth circumferentially sloping
surfaces of the receiving base. Therefore, the operating knob of
FIG. 12 can be constructed as a unidirectional knob. In addition,
the rotational movement of the operating knob around the pin holder
can be positively restricted by the stopper projections.
[0059] Referring to FIGS. 14 to 20, there is illustrated a recliner
device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
The second embodiment is substantially similar to the first
embodiment except that a receiving base different from the
receiving base of the first embodiment is employed, and engaging
means for causing the cylindrical section of the operating knob and
the receiving base to be engaged with each other is employed.
[0060] As shown in FIG. 14, a first bracket 1 extending downward
from a side of a seat back (not shown) is employed as an inner
bracket and a second bracket 2 extending rearward from a side of a
seat cushion (not shown) is employed as an outer bracket. The first
bracket 1 is pivotally connected to the second bracket 2 by causing
a lower end portion of the first bracket 1 to be overlapped on an
inner surface of a rear end portion of the second bracket 2 and
causing the lower end portion of the first bracket 1 to be
pivotally connected to the rear end portion of the second bracket 2
by a supporting pin 3.
[0061] Like the seat back shown in FIG. 1, the seat back of the
second embodiment can be pivoted around the supporting pins in such
a manner that the attitude of the seat back is selectively changed
to a vertically standing posture, a forwardly inclined posture or a
rearwardly inclined posture. A locking pin 4 is penetrated through
the rear end portion of the second bracket 2 so as to be axially
movable and projected toward a lower edge of the first bracket 1.
The lower end portion of the first bracket 1 is formed into a
substantially semicircular shape and has three semicircular-shaped,
spaced apart notches 1a, 1b, 1c formed around a circumferential
edge thereof. An inner end portion 4a of the locking pin 4 is
releasably engaged with any one of the notches 1a-1c, whereby the
seat back is locked in the vertically standing posture, the
forwardly inclined posture or the rearwardly inclined posture
relative to the seat cushion.
[0062] Referring to FIG. 15, a receiving base 90 having a
substantially ring-like receiving section 90a is fixed on an outer
surface of the rear end portion of the second bracket 2 with the
ring-like receiving section 90a surrounding the locking pin 4. A
pin-holder 5 of a substantially cylindrical shape is mounted in the
ring-like receiving section 90a of the receiving base 90 so as to
surround the locking pin 4, and fixed on the outer surface of the
rear end portion of the second bracket 2. An outer end portion 4c
of the locking pin 4 is penetrated through the pin-holder 5 and
projects outwardly from the pin-holder 5. The pin-holder 5 has an
inwardly facing circumferential flange portion 5a. The locking pin
4 is provided with a circumferential flange 4b. A coil spring 6 is
mounted around the locking pin 4 and disposed between the
circumferential flange 4b of the locking pin and the inwardly
facing circumferential flange portion 5a of the pin-holder 5,
whereby the locking pin 4 is always urged in such a direction as to
be operatively engaged with the engaging notches 1a to 1c of the
first bracket 1. A cap-like boss section 70a of an operating knob
70 which will be discussed in greater detail hereinafter is secured
to the outer end portion 4c of the locking pin 4 by a screw 8.
[0063] As shown in FIG. 16, the receiving base 90 has a plate-like
base body of a substantially elongated ellipse shape, at one end
portion of which the ring-like receiving section 90a is provided. A
fixing-hole 90b is formed in the other end portion of the base
body. As shown in FIG. 15, the receiving base 90 is mounted on the
outer surface of the second bracket 2 by causing a screw 30 to be
inserted into the fixing-hole 90b and causing the receiving base 90
to be secured to the second bracket 2 using the screw 30. The base
body further has a dowel 90c projecting from a back side of the
base body of the receiving base 90. The dowel 90c of the receiving
base 90 is fitted in a dowel hole 2a formed in the second bracket
2, whereby the receiving base 90 is positioned with respect to the
second bracket 2.
[0064] As shown in FIG. 17, the operating knob 70 is in the form of
a handle lever and comprises the cap-like boss section 70a briefly
discussed above, a substantially cylindrical section 70b coaxial
with the boss section 70a and axially extending from the boss
section 70a, and a lever section extending radially from the boss
section 70a. The substantially cylindrical section 70b has a
receiving portion 70c provided therein for receiving the outer end
portion 4c of the locking pin 4. The knob 70 is rotatably mounted
on the pin-holder 5 with the boss section 70a being secured to the
outer end portion 4c of the locking pin 4 by the screw 8 (see FIG.
14) as discussed above and the substantially cylindrical section
70b being opposed to the receiving section 90a of the receiving
base 90. The cap-like boss section 70a is provided with an
elongated protruding piece 70d extending axially from the cap-like
boss section 70a. The protruding piece 70d has two linear grooves
70d' formed in an inner surface thereof and extending along a
longitudinal direction of the protruding piece 70d.
[0065] As shown in FIGS. 16 to 18, a first cam surface 10 is formed
on a circumferential edge portion of the substantially cylindrical
section 70b of the operating knob which is opposed to or faces a
circumferential edge portion of the ring-like receiving portion 90a
of the receiving base 90, and a second cam surface 20 is formed on
the circumferential edge portion of the ring-like receiving portion
90a of the receiving base 90. The first cam surface 10 of the
substantially cylindrical section 70b of the operating knob 70
comprises first spaced apart opposite crest portions 10a and first
valley portions 10b disposed between the first crest portions 10
and continuously connected to the first crest portions 10a.
Similarly, the second cam surface 20 of the ring-like receiving
portion 90a of the receiving base 90 comprises second spaced apart
opposite crest portions 20a and second valley portions 20b disposed
between the second crest portions 20a and continuously connected to
the second crest portions 20a. One of the crest portions 20a has
two vertically extending projections 90d (see FIG. 16) provided on
an outer surface thereof. In a condition where the inner portion 4a
of the locking pin 4 is engaged with any one of the notches 1a-1c
of the first bracket 1, the first crest portions 10a of the
operating knob 70 and the second crest portions 20a of the
receiving base 90 are engaged with the second valley portions 20b
of the receiving base 90 and the first valley portions 10a of the
operating knob 70, respectively, and the grooves 70d' of the
operating knob 70 are engaged with the projections 90d of the
receiving base 90. Incidentally, while the grooves 70d' are formed
in the protruding piece 70d of the operating knob 70 and the
projections 90d are provided on the receiving portion 90a of the
receiving base 90 in the illustrated example, the grooves 70d' may
be formed in the receiving portion 90a of the receiving base 90 and
the projections 90d may be provided on the protruding piece 70d.
Furthermore, in the illustrated example, the number of the grooves
70d' is two and the number of the projections 90d is two. However,
it will be understood that the number of the grooves 70d' and the
number of the projections 90d are not limited to two, and may be at
least one.
[0066] As shown in FIG. 19, the first crest portions 10a of the
operating knob 70 and the first valley portions 10b of the
operating knob 70 are usually engaged with the second valley
portions 20b of the receiving base 90 and the second crest portions
20a of the receiving base 90, respectively, and the inner end
portion 4a of the locking pin 4 is releasably engaged with any one
of the notches 1a-1c of the first bracket 1 due to the action of
the coil spring 6, whereby the seat back is maintained in the
vertically standing posture, the forwardly inclined posture or the
rearwardly inclined posture relative to the seat cushion.
[0067] When the person causes the operating knob 70 to be rotated
in one of clockwise and counterclockwise directions while gripping
the lever section of the operating knob 70 in order that the
posture of the seat back is changed, the first crest portions 10a
of the operating knob 70 and the first valley portions 10b of the
operating knob 70 are shifted from the second valley portions 20b
of the receiving base 90 and the second crest portions 20a of the
receiving base 90, respectively, whereby the inner end portion 4a
of the locking pin 4 is moved, against the action of the coil
spring 6, away from the one of the notches 1a-1c with which the
inner end portion 4a of the locking pin 4 has been engaged until
now, and is then disengaged from the one of the notches 1a-1c.
Incidentally, as discussed above, the grooves 70d' of the operating
knob 70 are releasably engaged with the vertically extending
projections 90d of the receiving base 90. When the operating knob
70 is rotated around the pin-holder 5 in one of the clockwise and
counterclockwise directions by the person, the grooves 70d' of the
operating knob 70 are disengaged from the projections 90d of the
receiving base 90. Furthermore, when the operating knob 70 is
released from the person's hand, the operating knob 70 is rotated
in the opposite direction due to the action of the coil spring 6.
The operating knob 70 is then rotated in the same direction by the
person's hand, whereby the grooves 70d' of the operating knob 70
are again engaged with the projections 90d of the receiving base 90
while producing clicking sounds. The engagement of the grooves 70d'
with the projections 90d ensures that the person can make sure that
the locking pin 4 is projected toward the edge of the lower end
portion of the first bracket 1 and engaged with any one of the
notches 1a-1c of the first bracket 1.
[0068] As discussed above, by the rotation of the operating knob
70, the first crest portions 10a of the first cam surface 10 of the
operating knob 70 and the first valley portions 10b of the first
cam surface 10 of the operating knob 70 are shifted from the second
valley portions 20b of the second surface 20 of the receiving base
90 and the second crest portions 20a of the second surface 20 of
the receiving base 90, respectively, whereby the locking pin 4 can
be moved away from the edge portion of the first bracket 1 and
easily disengaged from the one of the notches 1a-1c of the first
bracket 1. Therefore, even if persons who handle the recliner
device are persons in a broad age-group including weak-armed
persons such as aged persons and children, the persons can easily
operate the operating knob.
[0069] As shown in FIG. 20, a stroke of the locking pin 4 causes
the coil spring 6 to be contracted and causes the locking pin 4 to
be disengaged from the one of the notches 1a-1c of the first
bracket 1. A height B of each of the crest portions 10a, 20a of the
cam surfaces 10, 20 is set so as to be larger than a stroke
distance A of the locking pin 4, so that the rotational movement of
the operating knob 4 is limited. The operating knob 70 can be
rotated in both the clockwise direction and the counterclockwise
direction because of the shapes of the first and second cam
surfaces 10, 20. Therefore, the operating knob can be constructed
as a type of operating knob that is drawn up and then rotated or
pushed down and then rotated.
[0070] When the operating knob 70 is released from the person's
hand after changing of the attitude of the seat back relative to
the seat cushion is carried out by causing the seat back to be
pivoted relative to the seat cushion by the person's hand, the
locking pin 4 is operatively projected toward the edge of the lower
end portion of the first bracket 1 and the inner end portion 4a of
the locking pin 4 is then operatively engaged with any one of the
notches 1a-1c of the first bracket 1, whereby the attitude of the
seat back is kept changed. At this time, by causing the grooves
70d' of the operating knob 70 to be engaged with the projections
90d of the receiving base 90 by rotating the operating knob 70, the
person can make sure that the inner end portion 4a of the locking
pin 4 is positively engaged with any one of the notches 1a-1c.
[0071] While the handle-type operating knob 70 is employed in the
second embodiment of the present invention, a dial-type operating
knob 71 shown in FIG. 21 may be employed. In this case, a side of
the dial-type operating knob 71 which is opposed to or faces the
ring-like receiving portion 90a of the receiving base 90 is
provided with a first cam surface which is formed in the same
manner as the first cam surfaces 10 of FIG. 17 is done, and is
releasably engaged with the second cam surface of the receiving
base 90.
[0072] In the second embodiment, the first bracket 1 is arranged on
the inside of the second bracket 2 as shown in FIG. 15.
Alternatively, the first bracket 1 may be arranged on the outside
of the second bracket 2. In this case, the locking pin is
penetrated through the first bracket 1 and projected toward the
second bracket 2, and the engaging notches with which the locking
pin is to be engaged are provided around the rear end portion of
the second bracket 2.
[0073] Furthermore, bearing pieces (not shown) for bearing the
inner end portion of the locking pin may be provided at edge areas
of the end portion of the inner bracket which are adjacent the
notches that are formed in the inner bracket. More particularly,
the bearing pieces have shallow V-shaped notches and are arranged
at the circumferential edge areas of the end portion of the inner
bracket 1 with the shallow V-shaped notches facing the notches of
the inner bracket. In this case, the inner end portion of the
locking pin can be stably born between the notches of the bearing
pieces and the notches of the inner bracket.
[0074] As discussed above, in the recliner device according to the
second embodiment of the present invention, the plate-like
receiving base is fixed on the outer bracket with the substantially
ring-like receiving portion thereof surrounding the locking pin,
the pin holder is mounted in the substantially ring-like receiving
base and fixed on the outer bracket, the outer end portion of the
locking pin projects outwardly from the pin holder, the inner end
portion of the locking pin always projected toward the edge of the
end portion of the inner bracket due to the action of the coil
spring, and the operating knob is mounted to the outer end portion
of the locking pin with the substantially cylindrical section
thereof being rotatably mounted on the pin holder and with the end
portion of the substantially cylindrical section thereof facing the
receiving base. The locking pin is releasably engaged with any one
of the notches formed in the inner bracket, by the action of the
coil spring. The mating cam surfaces are formed on the side of the
cylindrical section of the operating knob and the side of the
receiving base which are opposed to or face each other. The mating
cam surfaces include the crest portions having heights enough to
allow the axial movement of the locking pin. When the person causes
the operating knob to be rotated around the pin holder while
gripping the lever section of the operating knob, the crest
portions of the cam surface of the operating knob are shifted from
the valley portions of the cam surface of the receiving base,
whereby the locking pin is axially moved and then positively
disengaged from the one of the notches of the inner bracket with
which the locking pin has been engaged until now. Therefore,
persons in a broad age-group including physically weak persons such
as aged persons and children can easily handle the operating knob
and easily cause the locking pin to be disengaged from the one of
the notches of the inner bracket.
[0075] Furthermore, in the recliner device according to the second
embodiment, the first cam surface of the operating knob comprises
the first and second crest portions spaced apart from each other
around the circumferential edge portion of the substantially
cylindrical section which is opposed to or face the circumferential
edge portion of the substantially ring-like receiving base, and the
first and second valley portions each disposed between the first
and second crest portions and continuously connected to the first
and second crest portions. Similarly, the second cam surface of the
substantially ring-like receiving base comprises the third and
fourth crest portions spaced apart from each other around the
circumferential edge portion of the substantially ring-like
receiving base, and the third and fourth valley portions each
disposed between the third and fourth crest portions and
continuously connected to the third and fourth crest portions.
Because of the shapes of the first and second cam surfaces, the
operating knob can be rotated in both the clockwise direction and
the counterclockwise direction. Therefore, the operating knob may
be constructed as a type of operating knob that is drawn up and
then rotated or is pushed down and then rotated.
[0076] Furthermore, in the second embodiment of the present
invention, the cap-like boss section is provided with the elongated
protruding piece which extends axially from the cap-like boss
section and has at least one linear groove formed in the inner
surface of the protruding piece, and the one of the crest portions
of the receiving base has at least one vertically extending
projection. The at least one groove of the operating knob is
releasably engaged with the at leas one projection of the receiving
base. In a condition where the groove of the operating knob is
disengaged from the projection of the receiving base, when the
operating knob is returned to its original position due to the
action of the coil spring and the person then rotates the operating
knob in such a direction to cause the groove of the operating knob
to be engaged with the projection of the receiving base, whereby
the groove of the operating knob are again engaged with the
projection of the receiving base while producing clicking sounds.
Thus, the person can make sure that the locking pin is projected
toward the edge of the lower end portion of the first bracket and
positively engaged with any one of the notches of the first
bracket.
[0077] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the substantially
plate-like base body of the receiving base has the dowel projecting
from the back side of the base body of the receiving base, and the
dowel of the receiving base is fitted in the dowel hole formed in
the second bracket, whereby the receiving base is positively
positioned with respect to the second bracket.
[0078] The terms and expressions which have been employed herein
are used as terms of description, not of limitation. There is no
intention in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding any
equivalents of the features described or any portions thereof. It
is recognized, however, that various modifications are possible
within the scope of the invention claimed.
* * * * *